Sheffield botanical gardens wedding

Kirsten & Tom's wedding at city church , sheffield

I felt very privileged to be a part of Kirsten & Tom's wedding in Sheffield. Kirsten is a photographer herself and is now someone I'm very lucky to call a friend. Kirsten & Tom have known each other for many years but were only engaged for 3 months before their wedding day! They both did a fantastic job of organising such a wonderful day and had the help of many amazing friends who created lots of lovely things for their wedding. It is obvious how much Kirsten & Tom are loved by their family and friends and it was lovely to see everyone come together to be a part of their special day.

We began the day at a family friend of Kirsten's who had the most beautiful house with a gorgeously light kitchen extension just outside of Sheffield centre. Wedding photography was very important to Kirsten (being a photographer herself!) and she knew this space filled with natural light would be the perfect spot for bridal prep photographs.We then headed to Kirsten and Tom's church, City Church Sheffield, for their ceremony which is just a short walk away from the Sheffield Botanical Gardens. Although it was an absolutely freezing day, we braved it outside for some photographs around the Botanical Gardens and inside where it was thankfully much warmer! The Sheffield Botanical Gardens were such a cool spot for couple's portraits - I have a slight obsession with cactuses and house plants!Kirsten and Tom's evening reception was held at City Limits Dance Studio - a modern venue space just outside of Sheffield city centre.

Many thanks to Luke who helped photograph Kirsten & Tom's wedding with me.

A few words from Kirsten & Tom:

How did you two meet?: We met about 9 years ago when Tom came to Sheffield as a student. We met at our church but it was only a few years later when we became really good friends. We started dating in March 2017 when I got back from 3 months of traveling.

Describe the proposal!: Tom and I had some time off in August and we decided to have a little staycation here in Sheffield. We did lots of day trips and on our last day we decided to go for a walk in the peaks. Tom took me to a spot he had taken me in our first week of dating. It was a beautiful but windy day. Tom got me to stand looking out over Hope Valley so he could take a photo. He told me to stand really still with my back to him and when he said I could turn back round I found him on one knee with the box open with the ring in it. He told me he loved me and then asked if I would marry him! Once I'd said yes and got the ring on my finger (this was a bit of a blur) he got out crisps, champagne glasses and Prosecco that he had managed to smuggle up in his backpack without me knowing. It was just wonderful!

What is special about your venue?: We got married at the Jubilee Centre which is where our church meets every week. It's a stunning synagogue which is also a listed building. We have both been part of the church for a very long time so it was so special to get married in a place where all our friends and family could join us.

Any details of note about your big day?: We decided to get married 3 months after we got engaged. It meant we hadn't had time to save a lot of money so we were on a tight budget. But it made the planning so fun. A good friend of mine, Liz, did an amazing job of decorations. They were all made by her. She spent hours gathering beautiful autumn leaves and painting them gold, going with me to the flower market and putting together all the bouquets, buttoneholes and centrepieces. She totally outdid herself and the decorations were one of my favourite things.The fact that our friends and family all got stuck in to help us was what made it so special.

Catering: City Church Sheffield Hospitality Team led by my friends Chris and Helen

Band/DJ: We had the live band that Tom and I sing in. It's a bunch of our friends who get together and perform at wedding receptions and parties of people we know

Transport: Tom's family friends The Lunds were amazing and drove their Daimler down from up North for us to borrow.

West Yorkshire wedding photographer based in Littleborough. Providing wedding photography in Hebden Bridge, Todmorden, Halifax and throughout West Yorkshire. Maddie Farris Photography travels all over the North West and beyond! Including photography coverage for Manchester city centre weddings.